byron

Several law enforcement units are on scene at Route 262 and Bank Street Road in Byron and looking for a suspect who fled on foot following a chase.

A missing "gun alert" has been issued; officers found an ammunition clip in the suspect vehicle but a gun is nowhere to be found.

We do not know what prompted the initial chase.

A second suspect is in custody and is thought to be throwing up blood; "he has had several stomach surgeries." Mercy medics are called to the scene to evaluate the patient.

UPDATE 4:28 a.m.: Medics are called to evaluate a second patient who has been bitten by a dog.

UPDATE 4:49 a.m.: Two patients are transported to UMMC.

NOTE: Readers, if you have weather-related photos, photos related to anything in this post, email them to howard@thebatavian.com

A tree is down, partially blocking the roadway at 10840 Bowen Road in Alexander. Alexander firefighters are responding with a chainsaw to cut the tree and remove it.

In the area of the Log Cabin Restaurant, a transformer and three or four power lines are down in the roadway. The location is 1227 Gilmore Road. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding. National Grid is notified; no ETA -- "They're obviously are dealing with multiple issues."

Wires and/or tree branches are reported down on Whitney Mill Road in Elba.

UPDATE 10:41 a.m.: A tree and wires are down and entangled at 3583 Batavia Oakfield Townline Road.

UPDATE 10:43 a.m.: Tree down across the roadway at 9555 Beaver Road, Alexander.

UPDATE 10:44 a.m.: Tree and/or wires down on Francis Road, between Brown Road and Route 20, Bethany.

UPDATE 10:46 a.m.: Tree and wires down at 2781 Shelby Road. Oakfield Fire Department responding.

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: DPW requested by City Fire to Cherry and Pringle for a large limb down blocking the roadway.

UPDATE 10:54 a.m.: National Grid is reporting 10 areas in Genesee County with power outages. The largest, 41 customers, is in Pavilion, in the area of Texaco Town. In Elba, Townline Road is being shut down at Pekin Road for a tree down.

UPDATE 10:59 a.m.: A tree has fallen into a residence at 3189 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. East Pembroke Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 11 a.m.: A semi-truck rollover accident is reported on Route 77 in front of Darien Lake Theme Park. Unknown injuries. Unknown cargo. Darien Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 11:04 a.m.: A large pine tree is reportedly down across the road in the area of 3525 Rose Road, Batavia. On Darien truck accident, truck is empty, no injuries, no fuel spill. Darien Fire can respond non-emergency.

UPDATE 11:08 a.m.: There is a power outage in East Pembroke with 40 customers without service. In Pembroke, a poll with a transformer is leaning with low hanging wires in front of Yancys Fancys.

UPDATE 11:23 a.m.: A box truck rollover accident is reported on Route 77 at McGregor Road, Darien. Injuries are reported. There are reportedly two occupants in the truck. Darien Fire dispatched. A chief is requesting that Route 77 be shut down to truck traffic.

UPDATE 11:27 a.m.: Route 5 is being shut down for westbound traffic at Route 77.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: Wires in trees with flames is reported on Dodgeson Road and Seward Road, Alexander. Alexander Fire responding.

UPDATE 11:35 a.m.: A tree and wires down, no fire, in the area of 2257 Countyline Road, Darien.

UPDATE 11:46 a.m. There is reportedly a car on tree branches and wires with a fuel leak in the area of 2023 Indian Falls Road, Pembroke. There are occupants in the vehicle. East Pembroke fire responding. No sparks are flames. Wires down at 118 E. Main St., Le Roy. A tree is down and blocking at Circular Hill Road and Wilcox Road, Byron.

UPDATE 12:10 p.m.: A tree is down on a house on Union Street. No structural damage. No wires down but it looks like the rest of the tree might come down soon.

UPDATE 12:13 p.m. A tree has come down on a gray Toyota Avalon at the McDonald's in Le Roy. It's unoccupied. Unknown owner at this time.

UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: In Alabama, 90 National Grid customers are without power.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: If we've got the right call here, occupants extricated at incident on Indian Falls Road.

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.: A dispatcher informs a Sheriff's patrol supervisor that there is a long list of pending hazardous conditions calls.

UPDATE 12:28 p.m.: A tractor-trailer rollover is reported in Pavilion on Route 63 at Court Road. Pavilion fire dispatched. Unknown injuries. Unknown cargo.

UPDATE 12:35 p.m.: Route 63 is being shut down. The driver can't be located. A pole with transformer is broken. The location is in Wyoming County. A Wyoming County deputy is in route. There is a fuel leak.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: The driver is in a pickup truck parked roadside.

UPDATE 12:38 p.m.: Oakfield fire is dispatched to 7001 Lewiston Road, the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District, bus garage, for a fire alarm in the gas island.

UPDATE 12:41 p.m.: On Pavilion truck accident, Mercy ambulance can continue non-emergency. Probably a sign-off. The trailer is empty. Small fuel spill to clean up.

UPDATE 12:46 p.m.: Westbound Route 5 in Le Roy is being shut down by Le Roy fire at York Road. We didn't catch the reason.

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: Limb down on Pringle Avenue, Batavia. No electrical lines involved.

UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: A two-car accident is reported at Buffalo Street and Attica Road, Alexander. Alexander fire dispatched. Unknown injuries. A large tree is down on South Main Street. South Main is being closed at River and at Dewey.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: Wires arcing, 8503 Lover's Lane Road. East Pembroke fire dispatched.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Tree down blocking on Gilbert Street, Batavia. Also, State Street is being blocked.

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: Photo submitted by Cherie Chatt of a tree down on a house in Oakfield.

There is also a tree down on wires at 2781 E. Shelby Road. Oakfield Fire Police on scene.

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: Tractor-trailer rollover accident reported at 6744 Quaker Hill Road, Elba. Unknown injuries. Unknown cargo. Elba fire dispatched.

UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: Reader-submitted photo of tree down on South Main Steet, Batavia.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: Power outage in Elba, 316 customers without power. 

UPDATE 1:37 p.m.: Tree down on Fisher Road, Oakfield.

UPDATE 1:44 p.m.: Law enforcement dispatched to Lewiston Road in the area of the Thruway overpass for a report of a person in black pants and a black jacket with red hat looking in mailboxes.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: Traffic lights are out in the city at Main and Oak streets.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: Photo of Lewiston and Main, Batavia, about 30 minutes ago. There were strong winds and heavy snow for a short period. Every traffic light on West Main is out of service.

UPDATE 3:52 p.m.: It was a very busy day for emergency dispatchers. Sheriff William Sheron shared the photos below from one of the busy times. The call rate has slowed considerably over the past hour or so.

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: Photo submitted by a reader, 40 Church St., Le Roy.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: Mari Egloff submitted these photos of trees down in her yard in Alexander.

UPDATE: Dayne Burroughs and Pamela Reinhardt shared the pictures below of damage at St. Joe's Cemetery.

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Located in the Elba School system, this home is perfect for the people who want their piece of country. Surrounded by fields on a quiet road -- definitely one to take a ride for! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today, 344-4663, to view this listing or click here for more information.

Press release:

The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society is hosting a free public presentation on endangered species at the Gillam Grant Community Center on Saturday, April 28, to encourage Bergen Swamp community members to be aware of the sensitivity of this ecosystem.

The society wants to bring awareness about the need to preserve the rare animals in the swamp, discourage poaching or killing these animals, and how to identify and report some non-native invasive species.

Bergen Swamp Preservation Society's “Meet and Greet” at the Gillam Grant Community Center will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. The center is located at 6966 W. Bergen Road in Bergen. Refreshments will be available.

The Bergen-Byron Swamp is a refuge for a diversity of wetland plant and animal life. How many people have actually seen some of the most famous animals of the swamp? Now is your chance to meet some of these animals in person with Seneca Park Zoo herpetologists.

These professional herpetologists will share with the public a live Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, a black rat snake and a spotted turtle.

Learn about the natural history of the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, as well as some of the other reptile species found in the swamp. Learn why these reptiles are an important part of the ecosystem and what you should do if you encounter one!

Bergen Swamp Preservation Society trustees will also be on hand to answer any questions about the swamp’s special flora, fauna and geology. Learn about a new non-native invasive grass, brachypodium sylvaticum -- commonly known as false-brome, slender false brome or wood false brome -- that threatens the Bergen Swamp and what we can do to mitigate its threat.

Also, please note that Bergen Swamp Orchid tour will be held Saturday, May 19th. Tours are at 9 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. and meet at the Gillam Grant Community Center on West Bergen Road, Bergen.

   Joseph Tornabene

Joseph M. Tornabene, 26, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with third-degree assault, aggravated criminal contempt, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree robbery. Tornabene is accused of physically attacking a woman during a violent domestic dispute, causing injuries. He is also accused of forcibly taking the victim's mobile phone, preventing her from calling 9-1-1. He also allegedly violated an order of protection. He was jailed on $25,000 bail.

Daniel Edward King, 41, of Phelps Road, Pembroke, is charged with failing to register a change of address within 10 days as a sex offender. The charge followed an investigation into an incident in the Town of Pembroke.

Bin Chen, 32, of Wangman Street, Rochester, is charged with possession for the purpose of sale of 30,000 or more untaxed cigarettes, criminal tax fraud, 3rd, and failure to stop at stop sign. Chen was stopped at 1:29 a.m. Friday in the area of 7152 Alleghany Road, Alabama, by Deputy James Stack.

Jacob Russell, 22, of Walkers Corner Road, Byron, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon with a previous conviction and unlawful possession of marijuana. Russell was charged following a search of his residence by probation officers, who allegedly found a switchblade knife and five marijuana smoking devices containing marijuana. Russell was jailed on $20,000 bail or $40,000 bond.

Kevin Watson, 58, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Watson is accused of stealing several items from Dollar General.

Scott D. Larnder, 41, of Tracy Avenue, Batavia, is charged with an unlicensed dog and owning a vicious dog. Larnder's dog allegedly bit another person at his residence at 10:23 p.m. on March 12.

(The Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School 2018 National Junior Honor Society.)

Submitted photos and press release: 

Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School celebrated the new membership of two dozen middle school students to the school’s National Junior Honor Society in a ceremony on March 21.

The inductees are:

• Eighth-grade: Aidan Clark, Leanna Curts, Angelique Heick;
• Seventh-grade: Cassidy Ball, David Brumsted, Dayanara Caballero, Cameron Carlson, Caris Carlson, Evan Cuba, Kendan Dressler, Frank Hersom, Ryan Muscarella, Valerie Pastore, Kendall Phillips, Austin Salmonds, Emily Salmonds, MacKenzie Senf, Zoey Shepard, Ava Wagoner, Lillian Walker, Leyna Wheeler, Hannah Wies, Nicholas Zwerka. 

The NJHS program highlights the well-rounded students at Byron-Bergen. Inductees are selected based on their high standards of scholarship, citizenship, service, leadership, and character. All members are required to demonstrate their achievements in each of these areas. New members join 40 standing members to round out the Byron-Bergen chapter

The evening began with a welcome from faculty advisors Ken Gropp and Kerri Smith. NJHS Vice President Alayna Streeter led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The ceremony continued with opening remarks from Superintendent Mickey Edwards and Principal Patrick McGee.

(The traditional lighting of the candles symbolizing the tenets of the NJHS: character, service, leadership, scholarship and citizenship.)

Students Hope Hersom and Kelly Ireland led the traditional candle-lighting ceremony, that centers on the five qualities all members work to embody. Alaura Rehwaldt lit the candle symbolizing Character; Elli Schelemanow, Leadership; Grace Huhn, Service; Colby Leggo, Scholarship; and Corden Zimmerman ended with Citizenship.  

NJHS President Sarah Sue Streeter spoke about working hard for everything you want. She shared her story of not qualifying for membership in the society when she expected that she would. She was extremely disappointed, and determined to do better the next year.

“I worked and worked and worked,” she said. “And all the hard work paid off. When you really want something, you have to be willing to work hard to get it.”

The induction ceremony featured two guest speakers who were chosen by NJHS members: Byron-Bergen teachers Roxanne Wood and Peter Spence. They each spoke about the five qualities NJHS members must embody and how they are part of a successful life.

Wood challenged students to “set your goals higher than you think you can reach.”

As part of the induction ceremony, each new inductee received a certificate and pin, and the distinct honor to be a part of the National Junior Honor Society.

More than a million students participate in NJHS:https://www.njhs.us/. Membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but also challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

(All new inductees received a certificate and pin, and were acknowledged by the school’s administrators. Below, Ava Wagoner is congratulated by Ken Gropp.)

Please click here to view the full listing for 1 North Park, Batavia.
Please click here to view the full listing for 5774 Shelt Road, Byron

Joseph Jonathan Kuzma, 37, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Kuzma is accused of stealing $780 worth of steel from a location in Byron in order to sell it in Monroe County.

Nancy Louise Mordenga, 47, of Huffer Road, Hilton, is charged with bailing jumping, 3rd. Mordenga is accused of not appearing in court following an arrest. She was jailed on $500 bail.

Nefetiria Lialeshia Turner, 35, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with bail jumping, 3rd. Turner is accused of failure to appear in court following an arrest. Turner was jailed on $250 bail.

Kendra Quinette Thomas, 30, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with bail jumping, 3rd. Thomas is accused of failure to appear in court following an arrest. Thomas was released under supervision by Genesee Justice.

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Surrounded by fields on a quiet road -- definitely one to take a ride for!

Call Lynn Bezon today at Reliant Reliant Estate to see 5774 Shelt Road – call 344-HOME! Click here to view the full listing.

     Jason Giuliani

Jason M. Giuliani, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and Ian K Leblanc-Chatt, 32, of Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and moving from lane unsafely. Sgt. Colin Reagan and Deputy Amy Nowak, of the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, initiated a traffic stop on Route 19 in the Village of Wyoming, at an unspecified time on Sunday. Giuliani was a passenger in the vehicle. During the investigation he was allegedly found in possession of 60 bags of heroin, leading to a felony charge related to the intent to sell narcotics. Leblanc-Chatt was allegedly under the influence of multiple narcotics while driving by a drug recognition expert. Giuliani was jailed on $25,000 bail. Leblanc-Chatt was released to a family member.

Nicholas John Stefaniak, 36, of Westview Drive, Perry, is charged with assault, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Stefaniak is accused of seriously injuring another person during an incident reported at 8:18 p.m. Thursday in Byron, and of damaging property of that person. Stefaniak was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.

 

Students from Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School who are participating in Sandy Auer's pottery classes traveled to Rochester today for the class's annual visit to the Flower City Arts Center, where they could experience throwing pottery for a first time on a pottery wheel. The students then work with Mrs. Auer one-on-one in class throwing their own pottery pieces. 

"It's a great experience for the students," Mrs. Auer said.

Photos and info provided by Byron-Bergen High School.

An accident has knocked down a utility pole on Cockram Road, Byron, west of Byron-Holley Road.

The pole is completely blocking the road.

No injuries are reported.

Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.

Press release:

Crosby’s is celebrating the grand reopening of two convenience stores in Batavia and Elba this week.

Grand reopening festivities will take place at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at the store in Elba, located at 64 S. Main St., and will be attended by: Keith Palmer, Elba Central School District superintendent; Assemblyman Stephen Hawley; Jay Grasso, a field representative from Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer’s office; and Patrick McKinney, a representative from Congressman Chris Collins’ office.

At 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, the Batavia location at 5267 Clinton Street Road will celebrate its grand reopening with Mickey Edwards, Byron-Bergen Central School District superintendent; Assemblyman Hawley; and Congressman Chris Collins.

In addition to the festivities at each location, Crosby’s will donate $500 each to the Byron-Bergen Central School District and the Elba Central School District.

Both of these locations were existing structures acquired by Crosby’s in early 2017 that underwent remodels that included major cosmetic upgrades and a variety of customer-friendly amenities including fuel, a sub shop and multiple hot and cold beverage options.

“Updating these two stores allows us to better serve our customers with an expanded offering,” said Doug Galli, vice president and general manager of Reid Stores. “Crosby’s thrives in communities like these because we become an active participant within the community – beyond simply offering products and service.”

At each location, customers can get a cup of Crosby’s signature 100-percent Arabica bean premium roast coffee for only 99 cents for a regular size. The Elba location will also feature f’real milkshakes; smoothies; and Crosby’s Arctic Express, which offers frozen carbonated beverages (Arctic Chill and Arctic Freeze) or frozen fountain sodas in more than 12,000 flavor combinations.

Each location also features an extensive take-out menu that includes fresh-baked pizza, made with Crosby’s own 100-percent whole-milk mozzarella, served whole or by-the-slice; fresh, made-to-order hot and cold subs prepared in an in-house Sub Shoppe; and fresh-baked cookies prepared on site. The Elba location will also have fried foods, including chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, pizza logs and more.

The stores will also offer a newly expanded selection of cold beverages, dairy and frozen foods, fresh fruit, competitively priced grocery items, tobacco products and other amenities including an ATM, prepaid wireless phone cards, gift cards, propane exchange and a variety of New York State Lottery games. Both locations will accept SNAP benefits.

The Batavia location recently upgraded the fuel facility and now offers Mobil fuel. The Elba location offers Mobil gas and diesel fuel. Both locations are also on the Plenti rewards program. See the store for further details.

Crosby’s, a division of the Reid Group, is headquartered in Lockport, NY. The company operates 87 Crosby’s convenience stores throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania and Upstate New York.

The Reid Group, founded in 1922, is a full-service independent motor fuel marketer providing a comprehensive range of products and services for retail motor fuel outlets and convenience stores. The Lockport-based company serves retail and commercial customers.

For more information, visit www.CrosbysStores.com.

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With a spacious open concept and large rooms makes this home feel large but super cozy. Located in the Elba School system, this home is perfect for the people who want their piece of country. Surrounded by fields on a quiet road -- definitely one to take a ride for!

Call Lynn Bezon today at Reliant Reliant Estate to see 5774 Shelt Road – call 344-HOME! Click here to view the full listing.

Press release:

This year, Byron-Bergen High School’s athletic department will recognize an alumnus who has demonstrated not only athletic achievement but also character, citizenship, success and leadership during and after their time at the school.

The department is proud to announce that this honor will be awarded to Clyde Bianchi in a ceremony at 6 :15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9,  during the scheduled JV and Varsity basketball games at the Jr./Sr. High School gymnasium.

Bianchi, a 1987 graduate of the school, was an exceptional multisport athlete. He played on the varsity teams for basketball, baseball, and soccer, and was named to the Genesee Region All-Star Teams for all three sports during a stellar high school career.

In 1985, a motor-vehicle accident left the promising young athlete paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.

His spirit and perseverance continued to propel Bianchi forward, however. He graduated with a Regents degree in Math and Art, and worked full time to pay for higher education at Genesee Community College and The College at Brockport where he earned his undergraduate degree in Business, Math and Economics.

He attended the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1997-2000, studying information technology.

From 1994-96, Bianchi played professional basketball with the Rochester Wheels, winning the 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Rochester Championship for all three years. He is also a professional power lifter, a billiards champion, and plays football.

Bianchi had a very successful career as a computer engineer, advancing to director of technology, a position he held for 10 years. Since 2013, he has been the CEO and president of the largest animal boarding facility in the Rochester area, Howlywood. Located in Bloomfield, the company is owned and operated by Bianchi and his family, including his wife and business partner, Kelly.

“Clyde Bianchi is an inspiring role model for our student athletes and for everyone at our school,” said Athletic Director Rich Hannan. “He set the bar on his life high and never compromised.

"He has always made sports and competitive principles an important part of his life and he has made significant contributions to his community. We are absolutely honored and proud to recognize his achievements, and add his name to our Athletic Wall of Fame.”